Tell your U.S. Senators and Representative to SUPPORT S. 3424
and H.R. 5434, Puppy Uniform Protection and Safety (PUPS) Act
that will bring all commercial dog breeders
in the United States under federal oversight

In May, Senators Durbin and Vitter and Rep. Farr introduced
the Puppy Uniform Protection and Safety (PUPS) Act to bring all
commercial dog breeders in the United States under federal
oversight. Currently, only breeders who sell their dogs to
brokers or pet stores are required to be licensed and inspected
by the USDA. If passed, the PUPS Act would require any breeder
who sells or offers to sell more than 50 dogs annually directly
to the public—including over the Internet—to also be licensed
and inspected.

The bill would also require all dog breeders licensed under
the federal Animal Welfare Act to exercise every dog every day,
including allowing the dogs to reach a running stride without
the use of treadmills or similar devices. Requiring exercise
could dramatically improve the lives of thousands of dogs
suffering from lifetimes of confinement at the hands of the
commercial breeding industry.

The ASPCA was disturbed by the most recent report by the U.S.
Office of Inspector General on the USDA’s lax enforcement of the
Animal Welfare Act. We are working with federal officials to
ensure that the current law, as well as any amendments, is
enforced consistently and aggressively against violators. In the
meantime, strengthening the current law is critical if better
enforcement is to have a significant impact.

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